Lifting for Jesus

Living Long: The Diverse Lives of Our Aging Citizens

LORY POUNDERlory.pounder@staugustinerecord.com

Published Monday, July 18, 2005

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Charles Falkner lifts weights to stay in shape so that he can continue to provide for his family. He also likes to stay fit so he has the energy and endurance to spread his message through bible studies and talking with people. Falkner believes that following in the words and actions of Jesus Christ that mankind will be saved and have an eternal life on the earth.

By JUSTIN YURKANIN, Staff Charles Falkner is 79 and can out-lift most healthy 20-year-olds. Each week, he spends a few days at World Gym, gaining strength to make sure he is healthy to spread the word of Jesus Christ.

"I love to teach people about the kingdom, and you can't do that if you're not feeling good and have no energy," he said.

Although Falkner was once a Jehovah's Witness, today he simply considers himself a student of the Bible.

The combination of his daily scripture studies and rigid work-out schedule help him spread the message of salvation to anyone he encounters who is willing to listen. And while his passion for Jesus Christ fulfills his spiritual heath, his physical health is developing through weight training.

About a year and a half ago, Falkner had heart surgery. Six months later, he took his first trip to the gym.

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"The strongest part of my body is my abdomen,' Falkner said. Here he rests his hand on five 45 pound weights that he put on each side of a leg press machine. Falkner regularly does leg presses of more than 500 pounds.

By JUSTIN YURKANIN, Staff

At the time, he was able to do a few chin-ups. Now he can do 26.

"I'm like a boy with a toy," Falkner said. "I can't believe what I am able to accomplish."

Spiritual journey

Falkner's spiritual road has been bumpy.

He was shunned from a congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses in St. Augustine more than 18 years ago. Still, he shares a similar message.

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Charles Falkner talks with John Kingeter at World Gym. Falkner often watches and strikes up conversations about proper techniques for working out with experienced trainers like Kingeter. Falkner has befriended many people at the gym because of his enthusiasm for physical fitness. He works out four times a week.

By JUSTIN YURKANIN, Staff

Falkner believes Christ's coming and eternal life is near. However, he does not agree with Witnesses' belief that only a small number of people will be allowed into heaven or in their chronology of events -- differences that led to his disfellowship from the church.

After he was shunned, Witnesses who were once his friends were not allowed to talk to him and the world he knew crumbled.

Witnesses believe that "only if you are a part of them can you be anything," Falkner said.

But, leaving Kingdom Hall -- the St. Augustine congregation he helped build, did not hinder his love of the Bible. In fact, it deepened his understanding as he began researching it.

Today, Falkner spends between 40 minutes and three hours each day reading scriptures.

"Whatever the Holy Spirit leads me to, I want to be able to do it," Falkner said. "Going to the gym gives me the energy," he added.

Future goals

The frail figure that first started coming to the gym with the hope of recovering from five heart bypasses and surgery has since been replaced with muscle and strength.

And in part, Falkner credits the change to Heart of Gold Formula by Toda.

Falkner met a woman at a Bible conference who makes the oral supplement that includes garlic, hawthorn, cayenne pepper, bilberry and sea buckthorn. The drops are supposed to help with a variety of heart-related diseases.

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Falkner started taking Toda drops in December and said his endurance has increased dramatically.

Now, he uses himself as an example of how the drops work. He sells them to stores or individuals and is hoping this income will lead to his ultimate goal of buying radio time.

Falkner said if he can start a radio show, he will be able to spread the word of Christ to greater numbers.

"I want to advertise the kingdom to let people know the time is coming when they will absolutely live forever on this beautiful place," Falkner said.

Each day, Falkner reviews his successes and failures. If he raised his voice to someone or was rude to a telemarketer, he feels defeated. These are some of the issues Falkner wants to tackle on the air.

"Imagine the change in St. Johns County if everyone was conscious of their conduct driving or on the phone," he said.

"You decide if people dread seeing you or see you as refreshing water," he added.

Whether, Falkner is at the grocery store, selling Toda drops, or at the gym, he talks to people about the Bible. He drops tidbits of information to see people's reactions. If they are interested, he will add to it next time he sees them.

"Any fair minded person that knows two plus two will like what I have to say because it is fair," Falkner said.

Teaching others

Falkner's knowledge of the Bible and his ability to be open-minded with other people's views impressed Tom Lee, 39.

About eight years ago, the men met over a water purification system. Lee owned a mobile home park and Falkner helped him fix a water problem. At the time, Lee was amazed at Falkner's helpful attitude and willingness to help someone he didn't even know.

It wasn't until this past year that the two men's paths crossed again at World Gym.

"I've never been a fan of Jehovah's Witnesses, but I've never been a critic either," Lee said.

Lee grew up Catholic, but was not encouraged to read the Bible. After he started talking to Falkner, he decided it was something he seriously wanted to explore.

Falkner meets with Lee on Saturdays toting about five books of Bible versions and interpretations to use as they read scriptures about the day's topic.

Although the two don't always agree, differences have never been a problem, Lee said.

"Most old people spend a lot of time talking about the past," Lee said. "Mr. Falkner spends a lot of time talking about the future."

Falkner's background

Falkner grew up near Lake City. He was a merchant marine in World War II and worked at Jacksonville Electric Authority for 22 years.

In 1968, he moved to St. Augustine when the Witnesses asked him to become an overseer in the organization.

After the move, he began a water treatment business and held a highly regarded position in the Witnesses' society.

He was shunned April 10, 1987 after being part of the church for 38 years. Since then, he has spent his free time studying scriptures.

Falkner and his wife, Helen Falkner, have been married for 56 years. They have three sons, four granddaughters and one grandson.

Helen is proud of what her husband is doing at the gym.

"He feels much better psychologically, emotionally and all the way around," she said.

Impressive determination

Falkner remembers when pushing a 500-pound leg weight felt like pushing a wall. Now, he does it with ease.

He knows running will be the same way. Falkner can walk 2 miles, but has decided he wants to be able to run the distance at a decent pace.

He has been able to pick-up tips about how to get in shape by watching fellow gym goers. In particular, Falkner has learned about strength training by following body builder John Kingeter.

"The progress he has made is just incredible," Kingeter said.

"He can do more chin-ups than me," he added with a smile.

Lee had a similar reaction to Falkner's determination and progress.

At first, Lee offered to help Falkner at the gym in exchange for the Bible study sessions.

"But, I quickly realized he had a pretty disciplined resolve about going there," Lee said. "He's an impressive old guy all the way around."